Guide to moving to the USA

Information and advice you will need for moving to the USA

Money

The currency in the USA is the US dollar (USD). The US dollar can fluctuate against the British Pound so it is worth checking the exchange rate. US dollar banknotes come in denominations of 100, 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1.

Banking

Opening a bank account in the USA is relatively easy. Being able to prove your banking history is key, so if your bank in the UK has a presence in the USA, it is advisable to open an account with them. Overall, choosing a bank with an international presence is recommended – opening an account will be easier and quicker. If you open a bank account in the US, you’ll need identification: a passport or driving licence, a US social security number and a utility bill. You may also need details of your salary. All major banks offer online banking.

Internet/phone

High-speed broadband and WiFi access is widely available in the USA. The international dialling code for the USA is 00 1. To dial the UK from the USA, the code is 00 44.

Local time

The USA has nine time zones. The time difference between the UK and the following major American cities is as follows: New York (-5 hours), Los Angeles (-8 hours), Chicago (-6 hours), Houston (-6 hours), Philadelphia (-5 hours), Washington (-5 hours),Las Vegas (-8 hours), Miami (-5 hours) and Honolulu (-10 hours).

Climate

The USA is a huge country with a wide range of climate zones. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages, and it is advisable to do some research into the climate of the state to which you’ll be moving and be aware of and prepared for any extreme weather that you may encounter.

Driving

Vehicles are driven on the right in the USA. Depending on the state in which you live, you can use your UK driving licence for a certain period before you have to apply for a US licence. Doing so is straightforward – you will need a social security number, proof of identity (i.e. your passport) and proof of residence in your state and the USA, and you will need to pass written, practical and vision tests. Drinking and driving limits vary by state in the USA, with many imposing stricter limits than the UK.

Healthcare

Healthcare in the USA is provided by private clinics and hospitals. It is highly recommended that expats have private medical insurance. Insurance is generally expensive but is often provided by employers. If you do not have insurance, you run the risk of enormous bills or of not receiving any treatment at all.

Education

International schools are a popular choice for expats and every state has a choice of a number of these institutions. Overall, the private sector offers a world-leading level of education. Public education is free but standards vary.

Emergency contacts

The emergency number to call in the USA for police, fire and ambulance services is 911.

Thanks for everything, Andy, you’ve been great. Its nice to do business with someone who is as communicative and pleasant as you have been.
Just wanted to say that I know your job cant be easy and that I appreciate you sorting me out.
All the best,
Vicky

I am happy to hear that Prem was able to deal with clearance and delivery in Doha so quickly.

Yes he was a star.

Thank you for helping me in these hectic few days.

Thank you for your reply.

Kind Regards,

Lisa.

Thank you for helping me in these hectic few days. Lisa Rigg - Derby to Doha, Qatar.

Hi Andy this is just a quick note to advise you that all has been completed here in Canada, my shipment is now safe and secure in my personal storage unit. The staff acting on your command were brilliant, the day of delivery went off like a well oiled machine, a truly sterling service and I just wanted to thank you for your efforts.

Stuart Newbolt. Moving from Worthing to Vancouver

Wow Andy/Wendy, that was quick work.

Presently sitting in Emirates lounge waiting to depart later tonight.

Thanks for your assistance. One day I’ll either ship the final pieces stored at the house, or, I’ll come back to UK from Sydney!

I’ll contact you again in future.

All the best

Kind regards

Penny

Mrs Penelope Coulter - Saltdean, Brighton to Sydney, New South Wales.

Hi Andy
Appreciate your help.
All arrived OK and have given your number to some friends who may require your services.
Jan.

Mrs Jan O'Neill - Baby Grand Piano from Chichester to Spain

Hi Andy

Just to let you know the delivery arrived 15 packages in total. We are yet to unpack every thing but just wanted to thank you for the hard work! See what I will get in the summer sales.

All the Best

Margaret

Margaret Carter - Portsmouth to Portugal.

Andy, the bags have reached my brother’s home safely. Nothing was opened by customs.
Thank you very much and i know that whenever it is i will use your services.
Freddy.

Freddy Mistry - London to Dubai.

Hi Andy,
Just to confirm that I have succesfully received the cargo and that everything appears to be fine.
Thank you for your services and support.
Amir Dodhy.

Mr Amir Dodhy - Air Freight from Bristol to Riyadh, Saudia Arabia

Andy, the paper sculpture is now being treated well in its new home. You packed it brilliantly and it arrived in perfect condition. Thank you so much for your efforts! Deborah

Deborah Bailey. Art Sculpture from Lewes to California

Good Morning Andy
I have sent a message through the ALS webpage, then remembered I had archived
all the info when we moved to Dubai.
You did such a fabulous job when you moved us from the UK and everything
arrived safe and sound.
Kindest regards
Sally Boulton

Sally Boulton UK to Dubai

Andy
the Dolls house arrived safe and sound. Not one problem. Thanks for all if your great help. I am so grateful. Blessings to you
Jim

Mr J Tinnemeyer - Dolls House by Air freight from Southampton to Pittsburgh, PA, USA

Hi Andy
Thank you.
The piano and stool were delivered to Emma’s apartment in Dubai safely on Monday.
You were very helpful and we will certainly contact you if we require anything further to be shipped around the World.
Many thanks
Val Griffiths

Hi Andy
Everything went perfectly!! All is here safe and sound and much quicker than I thought
Thank you so much for making this experience an easy and stress free one.
It’s so great to finally have all my belonging with me!!
Thanks again to you both
All the best
Stuart F.

Stuart Farndell - Arundel, West Sussex to Toronto, Canada

Great thanks. You are all excellent professionals!
You are so kind, I appreciate your efforts
Thanks much,
Marios

London to Athens - Marios Vlachodimitropoulos

Good evening,
I was really pleased with your service in December 2013 and my things have arrived safely to Norway, not a sign of damp or damage despite horrible weather at the time. I was therefore looking forward to using your help one more time at the end of June/beginning of July.
Thank you for your help.

Kind regards

Anna Kulik-Ford

Haselmere to Stavanger, Norway

Hi Andy,
Everything is fine mate, thanks a lot for your help, much appreciated. Hopefully Andy I will get in touch with you again sometimes later because i still got some boxes in Bulford to send it over to Fiji. When everything is pack and ready i will let you know. Cheers mate, once again thank you so much, take care and God Bless.
Regards Tai
9943686.

Bulford Camp, Wiltshire to Fiji

Hi Andy,
Thanks again. The delivery went well and your guys were in and out in 10 mins and were very good. I appreciate your help and we are very pleased. Thanks for your help and we will be in touch in the future for the return journey.
Kind regards,
Peter.

Peter Kelly, Abu Dhabi, UAE

Dear ALS,
Just to say I believe the parcel arrived safely and in good time so thank-you very much from me, for organising everything as you did. Have a great weekend. Kind regards, Dugal
Dugal Dick, Finance MOKUM

Dugal Dick - Air freight Glasgow- Melbourne

Andy,
Everything arrived yesterday morning at 10.30am, was delivered to my apartment, and is in good order. So very much a job well done, thanks for that, as I am sure you are aware it is not just a case of moving some boxes, my personal possessions were in those packages and it is great to finally have them in one piece on the day that I wanted them. I would have no hesitation in using you again or recommending your service.Many thanks and a happy Christmas.
Daniel

Andy
Just a quick note to let you know that my shipment arrived as expected and all in order. I would like to thank you and your team for a job well done, i’ve been really impressed by you guys and will certainly use yourselves again in the future if and when i have the need.
Hope you have a good Christmas and have a great new year.
Thanks again
Jason

Jason Fisher, Cornwall to Dubai

Dear Andy,
I have received my boxes today. Thank you very much for all you have done, I will def recommend you if any of my friends move abroad.
Best wishes, Sarah Dixon

Sarah Dixon, Abu Dhabi, U.A.E

The trunk arrived safely. Many thanks for your efforts. I picked it up from your depot in Auckland and their man helped me into the car with it.
Kind regards
David.

David Wheeler, Auckland, New Zealand.

Hi Barbara & Andy just received these comments from Sicilly Thanks again. Mark The Antique House.
‘The shipment arrived safe and beautiful! The packaging was perfect. Thank you so much for having planned everything in such a manner’.

The Antique House - Brighton to Sicilly

Dear Barbara
Many thanks for your efficiency – the service you have provided is fabulous
Best wishes
Andrew

Andrew Prendergast - Air freight - Harare, Zimbabwe.

Hi Andy,
Just to say that I have now received the alloy wheels in Dubai and that they are on the car now. All very well wrapped, packaged and good.
Thank you for your excellent service.
Kind Regards,
Richard Gascoine

Richard Gascoigne, Dubai, UAE

Well Andy! Whatever is was you said to the agents here certainly did the trick – they can now fit us in to deliver items tomorrow! Again, I’d just like to thank you all for your collective efforts on our behalf. What could have been a very stressful occasion has been made the complete opposite as a result of your knowledge, support and service.
We wish you all a very merry Christmas and happy new year.
Andy

Andy March, Perth, Western Australia

Hi Andy.
I wanted to thank you and your associates for the efficient way you helped us with our recent shipping from the UK to Ras al Khaimah. Andy’s help and advice at the outset and Abdul’s team at the UAE end made the process stress free for us, or as close as you can get when you’re moving! We had no breakages, just a couple of candles warped by the heat. When we move on to our next assignment we’ll be sure to contact you for a quote. Best wishes and thanks again. Les, Domi and Amélie …

Les Frost, Ras al Khaimah, UAE

Just to say that my boxes arrived at my home address yesterday at 9.30 am. The gentleman at the depot in Portugal called me to make an appointment and was very helpful. I would just like to extend my thanks to you for such a professional and efficient service. I will have no hesitations in using your company again and will recommend ALS World Movers to anyone I know that requires your international removal services.

Chris Ferns, Lisbon, PortugalPortugal

Shipment arrived yesterday. All boxes unpacked and the quality of the packing job was quite astounding. Thank you so much for all the effort which was put into getting everything delivered to us here in Auckland safe and sound.

Hugh Stratton, Auckland, New Zealand.Auckland, NZ.

Thanks for your help getting our skis etc through in time. They were delivered on Monday and we left on the Thursday.! Close one. Thankfully it was all worth it, with Natasha and Nathan getting 2nd and 3rd in the Mogul competition at the NSW Regional Championships. We all appreciate your help getting everything cleared and Delivered in time.

Steve and Ally Bryan, Sydney, NSWSydney, NSW

I would just like to say a very big ‘Thank You’ for all your help, professionalism and efficiency in the smooth passage of my daughter Dionne’s ‘precious’ belongings to Sydney Australia. I have just had a phone call from her and she is so pleased and excited to have a whole new wardrobe!! Thank you again you were extremely helpful and I am very grateful to you all.

Mrs Helen Ellis, Sydney, New South Wales

My consignment was received in Abu Dhabi on Saturday with no breakages and all unpacked by a very attentive and friendly crew. Many Thanks for Everything.

Imran Jagtap Abu Dhabi, UAE

Just a quick note to let you know that my shipment was delivered to my apartment in Dubai as expected and all in order. I would like to thank you and your team for a job well done. I’ve been really impressed by you guys and will certainly use yourselves again in the future if and when i have the need.

Mohammad Hassan - Cardiff to Dubai20.12.2012

Just to say that everything has now been received in Dubai and that your packing and wrapping service was excellent. The car also arrived in perfect condition.
Thank you for your excellent service.

Richard Gascoine, Dubai, UAE

Many thanks for your efficiency – the service you have provided is fabulous and I wouldn’t hesitate in recommending your services to anyone. 10/10

Andrew Prendergast HarareZimbabwe. 11.05.2012

We just wanted to say Thank You so much for your shipping services. We received everything delivered to our apartment in New York before Xmas and it was all intact, with nothing broken and all so well packed and wrapped. Many many thanks.

Amanda and Elliott Grubb New York 09.01.2012

Shipment arrived at my home in Houston yesterday. All boxes unpacked and the quality of the packing job was quite astounding.
Thank you so much for all the effort you put into getting these thing here for us.

Simon Bott, Houston, USA

Thank you for your superb service in air freighting my son’s effects to his residence in Japan. I will highly recommend your services to one and all.